LONDON -- A new Formula GP2 championship backed by Renault will replace F3000 next year as the support series to Formula One at European races, organizers said on Monday.

The championship, using chassis built by Dallara and Renault engines, would be more sophisticated than F3000 and serve as a stepping-stone to Formula One, organizers said in a statement.

"(Formula One chief) Bernie Ecclestone has been helpful in this new formula and said that this will be a very good way for the drivers, engineers and mechanics into Formula One," said the statement.

F3000, introduced in 1985, has been struggling to attract enough cars to fill the grid.

Past champions racing in Formula One include Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya and France's Olivier Panis.